Rapper Ja Rule Calls Prison 'Amazing'

Rapper Ja Rule seems to be having the time of his life in prison, according to New York's Daily News.

The Queens, N.Y., rap star, 36, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, is serving a two-year sentence for gun possession and tax evasion. But while he's been in prison, the married father of three says, he's made some friends he probably wouldn't have made otherwise: disgraced New York politician Alan Hevesi and former Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski. He even has nicknames for his two new buddies: "Hevey D" and "Koz."

"Outside, you don't meet guys like this every day. This place is amazing," Ja Rule told the Daily News during an exclusive interview at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Oneida, N.Y.

"Koz just got out on work release. Not to say I wish he was still here," he said. "But they're both great, smart guys."

Both men advised him to pursue education in and out of prison. Ja Rule has earned his GED while in prison and will begin taking college-level courses later this month.

The rapper, who will leave the prison walls in 2013, will be releasing the album Pain Is Love 2 later this month.

While we all know this is just a media blitz on the part of Ja Rule and his handlers, we're glad that the rapper seems to be utilizing his time in prison to improve his life. When he gets out of prison, he won't be able to rap forever, so he'll have to depend on his mind for more than writing lyrics.